Structure: body (Blue Bird)
Vehicle recall 09V-481. NHTSA received BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY’s report on Dec 17, 2009.
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The short answer
NHTSA received BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY’s report on Dec 17, 2009. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
WITHOUT THE REQUIRED ADHESIVE, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE BUS OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALL AMERICAN D3 FRONT ENGINE MODEL SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 13, 2009 THROUGH OCTOBER 24, 2009.
ADHESIVE FOR THE INSIDE PANELS ADJACENT TO THE REAR CENTER EMERGENCY DOOR WAS OMITTED FROM THE JOINTS.
THESE BUSES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 221, “SCHOOL BUS BODY JOINT STRENGTH.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Structure: body.
What should you do?
BLUE BIRD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE BUSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: BLUE BIRD’S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS R10RF.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 223 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Blue Bird All American D3and 2010, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.